Missing Women Found in the Same Home; Police, Mayor Update Missing Women Case

Aired May 7, 2013 - 09:00 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Thanks to you both. And good morning to all of you and thank you so much for joining us this morning.

I'm Carol Costello. This is a special edition of NEWSROOM. In just a few minutes, police in Cleveland, Ohio will hold their first news conference on a remarkable and horrifying story that's still unfolding.

Here's what we know. A daring escape leads to the rescue of three women. All three vanished more than nine years ago in separate disappearances. All three were just teenagers at the time.

Gina DeJesus was last seen in 2004 when she was 14 years old. Michele Knight was 19 when she disappeared in 2002. And Amanda Berry went missing in 2003 on the eve of her 17th birthday. It was Berry who ultimately led them all to freedom.

This is Berry at the hospital last night with her sister and a young girl who reportedly escaped from the house along with her. Amanda Berry is in the middle there. Police came and rescued the other two women after Berry's desperate call to 911.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

911 DISPATCHER: 911. Do you need --

AMANDA BERRY, KIDNAP VICTIM: Help me. I'm Amanda Berry.

911 DISPATCHER: Do you need police, fire or ambulance?

BERRY: I need police.

911 DISPATCHER: OK, and what's going on there?

BERRY: I've been kidnapped, and I've been missing for ten years, and I'm here. I'm free now.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

COSTELLO: This morning all three women are out of the hospital and they are back with their families. In the meantime, FBI agents have locked down the neighborhood. They're searching the home where these women were held; its owner and his two brothers now under arrest. Of course, we're covering all the latest developments for you and waiting on that news conference to begin. Martin Savidge joins us live in Cleveland. Hi, Martin.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Carol. Yes, I mean we've just been moved back from where we were in front of the house. Let me just tell you what's going on.

It appears that authorities are coming in perhaps to do more searching and there's been talks of dogs being brought in. But I interrupted -- go ahead.

COSTELLO: No, I understand. I just wanted to talk to you about this 911 call. Because more than one woman has told me the dispatcher did not seem all that caring. He did not stay on the phone with Amanda Berry, for example, until police came. What are neighbors saying about this 911 call?

SAVIDGE: Well, you just mentioned that and in fact, there was a woman who just pulled me aside and said the same thing. She was absolutely livid with the 911 operator because she felt number one that it didn't sound like the operator was taking it seriously. And number two, it didn't sound like that operator was very compassionate. And also it didn't sound like the operator was aware of who Amanda Berry was which this woman was like for years we've been searching for her and this moment arrives and it sounded almost like this person didn't believe them.

Now I'm not a professional paid by the Cleveland Police Department, but they are trained in a different manner. And sometimes in their professional responses that they give, it may not sound like they are caring, but authorities would tell you, yes, we definitely do care. That said, you can bet that call is going to be reviewed.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

911 DISPATCHER: 911.

BERRY: Help me, I'm Amanda Berry.

911 DISPATCHER: Do you need police, fire or ambulance?

BERRY: I need police.

911 DISPATCHER: OK. And, what's going on there?

BERRY: I've been kidnapped and I've been missing for ten years and I'm here, I'm free now.

911 DISPATCHER: OK. And what's your address?

(EXPLETIVE DELETED)

BERRY: I can't hear you.

911 DISPATCHER: It looks like you are calling me (EXPLETIVE DELETED) BERRY: I'm across the street. I'm using the phone.

911 DISPATCHER: OK. Stay there with those neighbors --

BERRY: Please help me.

(CROSSTALK)

BERRY: OK.

911 DISPATCHER: Thank you. OK. Talk to the police when they get there.

BERRY: OK. Hello?

911 DISPATCHER: Yes, talk to the police when they get there.

BERRY: OK.

911 DISPATCHER: We're going to send them as soon as we get a car open.

BERRY: No, I need them now before he gets back.

911 DISPATCHER: All right. We're sending them, OK?

BERRY: OK.

911 DISPATCHER: Who's the guy who went out?

BERRY: His name (EXPLETIVE DELETED).

911 DISPATCHER: All right. How old is he?

BERRY: He's like 52.

911 DISPATCHER: All right.

BERRY: I'm Amanda Berry. I've been on the news for the last ten years.

911 DISPATCHER: OK. I got that here. I already -- what was his name again?

BERRY: (EXPLETIVE DELETED).

911 DISPATCHER: And is he White, Black, or --

BERRY: Hispanic.

911 DISPATCHER: What's he wearing?

BERRY: I don't know because he's not here right now.

(CROSSTALK)

911 DISPATCHER: When he left, what was he wearing?

BERRY: (INAUDIBLE). 911 DISPATCHER: All right. The police are on the way. Talk to them when they get there. OK?

BERRY: I knew -- OK.

911 DISPATCHER: I told you they're on the way. Talk to them when they get there. OK.

BERRY: Thank you.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: So again, you know, a lot of people listen to that phone call and they go, wait a minute, this young lady sounded like she was in deep distress, why was the operator acting that way? It's going to be looked at.

But the real thrill for everyone right now is the fact that three young ladies who many thought maybe have been lost forever are back reunited or in the process of with their families. And that can't be overlooked. That moment is going to be savored even as the questions come -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Oh, absolutely. But there are questions already coming. Not just about the 911 call, but also about the investigation itself. Some people say that they did call police and have them come and investigate this house where these three women were held for so many years. Tell us about those allegations -- Marty.

SAVIDGE: Yes, talking to neighbors here in this community, they say that on at least two specific incidents over the years past, that there were times that authorities were called; that they were notified that hey, there was something suspicious going on. It didn't look right. That there was a young lady that perhaps didn't belong, that maybe was being held against her will.

On one occasion they said police did respond, knocked on the door for about eight minutes. But then hearing nothing, left. Another occasion, another call, this time authorities showed up, they went to the backyard. Lots of dogs barking, but again neighbors say nothing was done.

Here's the sentiment in this community. This is a hard-working, tough side of Cleveland. And many would tell you that, look, had it been a wealthier neighborhood, the police response would be different. That is way too early to determine. Right now it is -- they are looking at the rescue of these young ladies and the questions will come. Were there other victims? How was this handled? Should there be changes? We'll see.

COSTELLO: And right now those three young women freed after so many years really have their neighbors to thank for this. And of course Amanda Berry, who so bravely escaped that house, ran across -- well, she was helped out of the house by Charles Ramsey, one of the neighbors, right? And then she ran across the street. Neighbors let her into their home to call 911. SAVIDGE: Yes, they did. In fact, you know, she begged. She said, can I get in? Can I use the telephone? You can only imagine what this would be like. A chaotic scene where a woman comes dashing up and tells you who she is. I have been kidnapped for 10 years. By the way it was in the house right across the street from you.

A lot of shock, but people responded. And they responded in kind of a human way. This is a person who needs help, needs a phone, you get it, we'll get you out. Now that's what happened.

COSTELLO: All right. Marty, please stand by. We're awaiting a news conference to begin. Expected to speak the mayor of Cleveland, Frank Jackson, and also the chief of police, Michael McGrath. We're expecting them to outline charges against three men involved in this case. And also to tell us a little more about what these women's lives were like inside that house. That news conference expected to start at any time.

In the meantime, we want to hear from this neighbor who so bravely came to Amanda Berry's aid. His name is Charles Ramsey. We're going to start to play his sound for you but if the news conference begins, we'll jump out of that go to the news conference. But here's Charles Ramsey in his own words.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHARLES RAMSEY, NEIGHBOR: Heard her screaming. I'm eating my McDonald's. I come outside. I see this girl going nuts trying to get out of the house. So I go on the porch. I go on the porch and she says help me get out. I've been here a long time. So, you know, I figured it was a domestic violence dispute. So I open the door and we can't get in that way because how the door is, it's so much that a body can't fit through, only your hand.

So we kick the bottom and she comes out with a little girl. And she says call 911. My name is Amanda Berry.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: And did you know who that was when you -- when she said that?

RAMSEY: When she told me, it didn't register until I got to calling 911. And I'm calling 911 for Amanda Berry, I thought this girl was dead. You know what I mean? And she got on the phone and she said, yes, this is me. And the Detective Cook, right here, Detective Gregory Cook says, Charles, do you know who you rescued? The girl Amanda told the police, I ain't just the only one. It's some more girls up in that house.

So they are going up there, you know, started pointing deep, and when they came out, it was just astonishing. Because I thought they would come up with nothing. Because we see this dude every day. I mean, every day.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: How long have you lived here?

RAMSEY: I've been here a year. UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: OK.

RAMSEY: I barbecue with this dude. We eat ribs and whatnot. And listen to salsa music in the same kind of room.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: And you had no indication that they're --

RAMSEY: Not a -- not a clue that that girl was in that house, or anybody else was in there against their will. Because how he is -- he just comes out to his backyard, plays with the dogs, tinkers with his cars and motorcycles. He goes back in the house. So he's somebody, as you look and you look away because he's not doing nothing but the average stuff. You know what I'm saying? Nothing exciting about him. Well, until today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: All right. That was Charles Ramsey. Let's go back to Martin Savidge because something in that Charles interview intrigued me. We don't know. There were two children taken out of that house. Right? Two children.

SAVIDGE: Right.

COSTELLO: One of them came out with Amanda Berry. She called that little girl her daughter. But we're not clear who that child is right now. But you did tell me earlier that neighbors saw those children on the street walking along with suspect.

SAVIDGE: They did. Right. And there are a lot of speculation going on especially here in the neighborhood as to who those children are. Officially we have not been told. But as you point out, we do know there were two young children that were rescued along with the three women that came from the home. Their relationship to the women who were held, their relationship to the captors, we don't know at this particular time.

But there are neighbors who say that in the case of Ariel Castro, that's the man who owned the home that was being used to house these women. He occasionally was seen walking the streets here with a young child. And neighbors would go up and ask him, who is the kid here? And his response was that is the daughter of my girlfriend.

Now it apparently never went beyond that and he never went deeper in explanation. But it is a kind of startling thought to think that he was so brazen that he might walk around with -- if it is the child of his abductees, it just boggles the mind -- Carol.

COSTELLO: It really does. I mean, there are no words.

Marty, stick around. We're going to bring in Marc Klaas because for nearly 20 years Mr. Klaas has focused his efforts on protecting children after his own 12-year-old daughter Polly was kidnapped and murdered. And Marc joins me now from San Francisco.

Thank you so much for being with us this morning. MARC KLAAS, FATHER OF POLLY KLAAS: My pleasure, Carol.

COSTELLO: Where do I start? As you sit back and watch this story develop, what goes through your mind? You work with so many victims.

KLAAS: There are so many victims and we can't forget that these girls and these women are definitely the victims in this as are their families and they will, you know, suffer from that victimization for years to come. It's not a clear road. There's going to a long path to full recovery for all of them.

COSTELLO: Absolutely. And -- you're looking at live pictures of a press conference that's just about to begin. The mayor of Cleveland expected to speak. And also the chief of police, Michael McGrath. We're going to break away for just a second, Marc Klaas, so we can listen to what these people have to say. So you stay right there. Thanks so much.

(BEGIN LIVE FEED)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good morning. We're here today for the media briefing in connection with the safe -- finding of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight. We ask that you understand that some questions we can't answer and some questions we can answer out of respect for the family.

Be mindful that this is an ongoing investigation and due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, again, some questions cannot be answered. I introduce to you the mayor of the city of Cleveland, Frank G. Jackson.

MAYOR FRANK JACKSON (D), CLEVELAND: Now this morning we're happy to announce, or as you know that Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight have been found and are alive. We're happy that they have returned to us. But their absence for several years has plagued their families, our community, Cleveland Police and our law enforcement partners for years.

We have several unanswered questions. Why were they taken? How were they taken? And how they remain undetected in the city of Cleveland for this period of time?

Today we have three suspects in custody. Over the years the Cleveland Police have worked closely with the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force led by the Cleveland office of the FBI and on the investigation of Gina DeJesus and Amanda Berry. We have with us today Special Agent in Charge Steve Anthony. He will be talking later.

We have also searched -- been searching our records for public safety calls to -- for services at 2207 Seymour as well as complaints regarding the house or the occupants of the house. Since last night we have learned the following. Building and Housing does not have any records of permits or violations at that address.

Our records show that the Cleveland Fire Department and our emergency medical service have not been called to that address. At this time our records show that Cleveland Police have responded twice to that address. Once in 2000 and another time in 2004. The Director Flask will provide some details in regards to that.

Now as we move forward, we will provide updates as they become available keeping in mind, as was stated, that this is an open investigation. Again, we're thankful that Miss Berry, Miss DeJesus, and Miss Knight have been found and that they are alive and that we have offered our -- support to the families and to the three ladies as they move down the road to recovery.

Now I do want to say, again, that this was a traumatic experience for them. Since we did not experience it as a community, but for them it's a traumatic experience and we need to give them room in this. So I will introduce you to the safety director.

MARTIN FLASK, CLEVELAND DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY: Good morning. Last night just prior to 6:00 p.m. Cleveland Police Communications Center received two calls. One from a neighbor to the house on Seymour Avenue and the second call from Amanda Berry, one of the missing women. An incident was created in our communications center at 5:52: 33. A police car was dispatch at 5:52:49 and first police responders arrived on the scene just under two minutes later at 5:54:07.

By 5:58 the responding officers have identified Gina DeJesus and Amanda Berry as having been located at the home. At one minute later, they announced that they had also recovered safely Michele Knight.

All three of the missing women and a 6-year-old child belonging to one of the missing women was conveyed to Metro Health Medical Center where they were being treated further in provided care.

Immediately after learning of the incident, we began an immediate search of our data bases to determine what information that we had regarding this specific address. We have no -- as the mayor articulated, we went back and looked at all the emergency medical calls for service and our fire responses to the address on Seymour Avenue since 2006 as far back as our data base exists. And we found that there were no calls for service.

We again checked our Building and Housing Department to see whether or not there were any building code violations or complaints made against that address and there were no complaints or violations identified.

We also went back and looked at police calls for service. We did learn that in -- in March of 2000 Ariel Castro, one of the individuals that's in custody currently, reported to police that there was a fight in the street. There's no record of any arrests having been made as a result of that police response.

And in January of 2004, as a result of an investigation that was initiated by children and family services, Cleveland Police went to the address, knocked on the door were unsuccessful in connection with making anybody any contact with anyone inside their home.

That incident appears to have been related to his employment, Mr. Castro's employment as a school bus driver. He either intentionally or inadvertently left a child on a bus when he returned to the depot. As a result of that, it came to our attention that from the Children and Family Services that there may have been a crime.

An investigation that was conducted by the Cleveland Division of Police and the kid there was no criminal intent on Mr. Castro's action.

Again, we're going to continue to look at all the data bases not only from calls being made from that address or about that address, but any calls that have been made or could have been made by any neighborhood residents alleging illegal activity or inappropriate activity within that home.

And at this point I can confirm that we have no indications and neither the neighborhoods, bystanders, witnesses or anyone else has ever called regarding any information regarding activity that occurred at that house on Seymour Avenue.

I'll turn this over to the Chief of Police Michael McGrath who will provide some additional information.

CHIEF MICHAEL MCGRATH, CLEVELAND POLICE: Thanks, Director. Good morning, everyone. Last night the city of Cleveland, northeast Ohio, received a tremendous news. The rescue of Michele Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus.

As a law enforcement person, I know everybody within the division of police and all my law enforcement partners feel the same, I was overseeing the disappearance of Shakira Johnson back in the low 2000s. She was a 12-year-old female that disappeared and three weeks later we found her body tragically. So to find these three girls recovered well is really -- it's just makes -- the police department, it just gives us a boost. It really, really does.

Amanda, who had been missing since April 21st, 2003, was identified last evening after fleeing from her captor's home and amazingly Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight were in the same house alive and well with a small child. All the women, all the young ladies have been missing about a decade. Gina DeJesus was last seen on April 2nd, 2004. Michele Knight had been missing since August 22nd, 2002.

The Cleveland Division of Police and our law enforcement partners which includes the FBI, Cuyahoga County Sheriff's office, U.S. Marshals office remain committed to these investigations over the years. Through our involvement with the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force led by the Cleveland office of the FBI, we have continued to investigate any and all leads in these cases.

These leads came in over years and were investigated time and again. Possible suspects were interviewed, search warrants were executed. Thankfully, and I mean thankfully, due to Amanda's brave actions these three women are alive today.

Three men have been arrested in this case and they are Ariel Castro, 52 years old, a brother Pedro, 54 years old, and another brother Onil (ph), 50 years old. The original task force will now continue to follow up investigation relative to the recovery of and processing of the scene, interviewing and the investigation.

Next steps, there's 10 years of logistical information that has to be sorted through. Numerous interviews have to be completed. The FBI evidence recovery team is processing the scene. They worked until 5:00 a.m. this morning. They will regroup later this morning.

And I anticipate it will take a few days to completely process the scene there on Seymour. Most importantly, though, the victim's physical and emotional well-being are the main concern and have to be addressed.

The FBI is providing assistance and special agent Steve Anthony will provide information relative to the debriefing of the victims.

Chief said I'm Steve Anthony, special agent in charge of the Cleveland office of the FBI.

For Amanda's family, for Gina's family, for Michele's family, prayers have finally been answered. The nightmare is over. These three young ladies have provided us with the ultimate definition of survival and perseverance. The healing can now begin.

Every evening, year after year, family members in law enforcement kept the faith that one day, they might see their daughters, their sisters, their nieces again. Monday evening, that happened. The FBI's violent crime task force, and particularly the men and women of the Cleveland Police Department have pursued every tip and have stood with the families each step of the way. And the families of these three young ladies never gave up hope and neither did law enforcement.

As you can imagine, words can't describe the emotions being felt by all. Yes, law enforcement professionals do cry. We rejoice with those families in the homecoming of Amanda, Gina, and Michelle, where I'm sure they'll be showered with much love and many, many hugs.

But has been said while we celebrate today, we and our law enforcement partners continue to work shoulder to shoulder with the Cleveland Police Department to answer the many questions, the many questions that investigators have. And rest assured, the FBI will bring every resource to bear to assist our partners in this case to bring the full weight of justice behind those responsible for this horrific, horrific case.

And has been said, I know the public and you all have many questions and so do we. Until we have the answers to those questions, based on facts and evidence, we won't be able to speculate as to the how and why. Just want to reiterate in this case, all of us standing up here rely on the public's assistance to resolve these horrific cases.

If you have any information, please contact Cleveland's division of the FBI at 216-522-1400. That is again 216-522-1400.

It can't be emphasized enough. This is an ongoing investigation. In the coming days and weeks, investigators will be putting in countless hours to track the events of the last several years.

As the chief mentioned, the three, of course, Gina, Amanda, Michelle, much of the effort that we have, that we're going to be doing over the next several days is going to be focusing on them. How could we in law enforcement help speed the healing and the recovery process and treat them with the dignity and the respect that they deserve? And we're going to be providing not just the three but their families again, with comfort, with advice, with information in the coming days to, again, help in that process.

And part of that, we have a special team of child forensic examiners that will be arriving this morning to help in that process in addition to numerous victim witness specialists, similar to those that have been sent to events such as in Boston. Thank you very much.

I'll turn it back over to Sammy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

At this time, we'll take a few questions. However, prior to, I would like to reiterate this is an open and ongoing investigation. And we want to be sensitive to not only the investigation but the family members and the victims.

And I ask that when you ask your question, you identify yourself and identify the media outlet that you're with.

REPORTER: Is there any evidence that this is part of a larger operation or is this focused just here?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right now, it's not. But we are aware of any type of national implications. That's why we're working so closely with the FBI. We actually briefed last night on the investigative end of it, and we reminded the investigators not to forget about that. That it possibly could be something that is outside of Cleveland. But as of right now, we have no indication that it's bigger than our neighborhood here.

Yes?

REPORTER: Were these girls held as sex slaves for 10 years?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, Tom, you know, that hasn't been determined. I have to tell you that we are very, very careful with the interview process last night. So, that's going to be an ongoing process today when we have our expert come in from the FBI. They are going to do in-depth interviews and I'm sure over -- as time goes by, there will be more information that will be provided from those young ladies as to exactly what took place.

REPORTER: Are the Castros subject to new other investigations?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pardon me?

REPORTER: Are any of the Castro brothers is subject of any other investigations?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, the one brother was and it was a report that the director mentioned before about inadvertently leaving a young man on the bus. The investigation was conducted and there was no criminal evidence found.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: If your child was left on a bus --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I couldn't hear your name enough.

TUCHMAN: Gary Tuchman, CNN.

If your child was left on a bus (INAUDIBLE) was done, why wasn't this guy questioned about this? And do you change your protocol for looking --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Number one, he was interviewed extensively relative to this complaint that we had. He was not a suspect in any other complaint. This was a -- he was a bus driver who inadvertently, so he says, left a kid on a bus, went for a lunch break, came back, and then found the young man.

Number two, our policies are solid. Our policies have been revamped over the last few years. We're constantly looking at those policies in a way to improve them.

Number three, I can tell you as being part of this division for the last 28 years and being very, very involved in this over the last 10 years that the amount of effort, the amount of leads, the amount of work hours and dedication that went into this, I have never seen it before over last 10 years. Every single lead was followed up no matter how small.

As a lot of you know in this room, we dug up a couple backyards. We re-canvassed neighborhoods. We had vigils. We participated in National Missing Children's Day along with the FBI.

So our goal was to get them back safely. The real hero here is Amanda. I mean, she's the real hero. I mean, she's the one that got this rolling.

You know, we're following her lead. Without her, none of us would be here today.

REPORTER: Did Castro own any other properties? Does Castro own any other properties, and are you going to search those properties? And what was the shape of this house? Was there any signs they were locked up or chains?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are other properties that we're interested in. Yes, that is true. We focused on the house on Seymour last night until the early hours of morning. We're going to go back. I have not entered the house. That is an active crime scene. The only people that entered that house is the evidence recovery team of the FBI.

So, before that evidence is processed, we haven't seen photos. We haven't discussed anything with them. That's their protocols. That's their crime scene. They are going to handle it.

(CROSSTALK)

(INAUDIBLE)

REPORTER: Only one child in this house. (INAUDIBLE) Is the child Amanda's daughter?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, there was -- yes, that child in the house, is that what you're asking about? Yes, we belief that is Amanda's daughter. Yes.

REPORTER: What about the father?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You want to answer that?

REPORTER: Subject of ongoing --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's ongoing. We have to do some -- yes?

REPORTER: Can you share with us a little bit about how the women were held in the house, whether they were locked in a room or how they were held captive for so long (INAUDIBLE)?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can't get into that because that is -- they are going to have to tell us that. Obviously, there was a long period of time where nobody saw 'em. So we have to wait until we interview them and hopefully they are going to tell us exactly what went on in there. They were the only ones there along with the suspects.

So that's a very difficult question to answer.

REPORTER: Josh Haas (ph) with ABC.

Have you guys spoken to the mother of the three? (INAUDIBLE) What's their involvement?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, yes. We spoke with her.

Last night, I can tell you a little investigative update is, we canvassed numerous parts of the lower west side of the city. We were out on a couple streets. We have gotten ahold of all of family members and interviewed them.

What those discussions were I'm not at liberty to release that right now. We're going to have an investigative briefing internally later today to find out some of the results, but, yes, we have talked to all family, friends and we're going to continue to do that.

(INAUDIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, Bill, we don't. Amanda is the key to that. Like I said, you can only imagine the scene last night at the hospital with the family and the friends. It was just chaotic. We really didn't divulge -- we didn't get into a deep, deep line of questioning.

Our concern -- our first and foremost concern last night was their physical and mental well-being. So, that is going to come out, but as of today, I couldn't tell you.

REPORTER: Do you know if -- we heard from the neighbor. The there was a lock on the door. Do you know if there was other locks beyond the door lock that there were other ways that those women were kept inside the house, without giving too much detail?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I don't. All I know is Amanda broke out the bottom of the door to get out. So obviously the door was secured, but exactly how it was.

REPORTER: You're still investigating whether there were calls from neighbors to that home. You know, you were called there twice but you don't know for a fact if a neighbor had ever called to report (INAUDIBLE).

FLASK: Marty Flask, Public Safety.

We've queried, looked at all the calls for service. We also checked this morning with county partners for the wireless system.

We don't have any indications that any incoming calls for service, allegations, tips or information was received from any other source or any other neighbors. I can confirm that. However, we will continue to check all our data bases to confirm that as we move forward.

But our initial review indicates clearly that nothing was provided to the city of Cleveland from any of the neighbors that live on that e street or anywhere else regarding the activities at that home.

(CROSSTALK)

(INAUDIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can tell you from what I saw the physical condition, I'm not a medical person. I know metro briefed last night, but they seemed to be in fatherly good health. I mean, look at them, there was no outward signs. You know, they needed a good meal, but that's something I'd have to refer to metro as far as their medical condition.

What was the second part?

REPORTER: Michele Knight, what's her story?

ED TOMBA, DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE, CLEVELAND: Her story is she hasn't been seen in over 11 years. That story is going to come out. She spoke a little bit with us last night.